Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to flag off coastal Karnataka’s first Vande Bharat train between Mangaluru Central and Madgaon, by the end of December, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said.
Earlier in September 2023, Kateel had met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi and brought to the latter’s notice that no Vande Bharat Express was running in coastal Karnataka.
“The coastal strip between Mangaluru and Goa holds significant importance in the southern part of the country. The region is known for its scenic beauty, rich heritage and vibrant cultural traditions. The introduction of the Vande Bharat Express will enhance connectivity and boost economic and tourist activities, thereby helping the growth of trade and business activities in the regions,” Kateel said.
“The introduction of a dedicated train service can help reduce traffic congestion on the road network. Further, it will align with the government’s vision of expanding railway connectivity and fostering economic development across the country,” he added.
At that time, Ashwini Vaishnaw had assured Nalin Kumar Kateel that the Railways will introduce a Vande Bharat Express between Mangaluru and Goa by the end of October.
The Vande Bharat Express between Mangaluru and Goa will be Karnataka’s fourth Vande Bharat Express. Notably, this will also be the first Vande Bharat Express for Karnataka which will not travel from Bengaluru.
In November last year, PM Modi had launched the Vande Bharat train between Mysuru and Chennai, the first such train in south India. Building on this momentum, the Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express was unveiled on 27 June.
Forging a vital connection among key cities in the state—including Dharwad, Hubballi, Davangere, and Yeshvantpur—with the state capital, Bengaluru, the Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express serves as an important link between North Karnataka and South Karnataka.
The state got its third Vande Bharat Express on 24 September, when PM Modi inaugurated Kacheguda-Yesvantpur Vande Bharat express connecting two major tech cities – Hyderabad and Bengaluru.